Rangers Searching For Overdue Hiker At OlympIc National Park

Olympic National Park rangers were searching Thursday for Bryan Lee Johnston, who failed to return from a two-to-three day hike last week. NPS handout.

A search was under way Thursday for a 71-year-old Seattle man who failed to return on schedule from a backpack trip along the coast of Olympic National Park.

Bryan Lee Johnston reportedly headed to the park last Thursday for a two-to-three day hike, possibly on the Ozette Loop Trail, park officials said Thursday. He was reported overdue Wednesday morning.

Mr. Johnston was described as wearing his white hair in a ponytail, with blue eyes, and standing 5’10” tall. Family members describe him as active and physically fit. He was believed to have been wearing blue jeans and carrying a black daypack.

Rangers immediately began a hasty search Wednesday for the man and found his truck in the Ozette Ranger station parking lot. Hasty teams also searched the Ozette Loop Trail, beach areas and Lake Ozette, and a helicopter search was conducted until dark.

On Thursday morning, six ground search teams and two search dog teams headed back out into the field to resume the search. A team was also searching Lake Ozette via boat.

Anyone with clues or information regarding Mr. Johnston’s whereabouts were asked to call Olympic National Park at 360-565-3120.